They come round many a house;

All noiselessly they sail,

A-watch for mole or mouse.

Tu-whit, tu-whoo! tu-whit, tu-whoo!

They never fly for joy,

And soar about the sky

They sail, and pounce, and sail—

These Owls with their strange cry:

Tu-whit, tu-whoo! tu-whit, tu-whoo!

Back to your hollow tree,